Old Pension Scheme, caste census, OBC quota, Rs 25 lakh health insurance among Congress ‘guarantees’ in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) [India]: Congress on Tuesday released its manifesto for Madhya Pradesh assembly polls next month and made a slew of promises including Old Pension Scheme, caste census, Nari Samman Nidhi of Rs 1500 per month to women, Rs 25 lakh health insurance and 27 per cent reservation for OBCs in government services.

The manifesto, released by Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath in the presence of senior party leaders including former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, made “101 main guarantees” including continuing Jai Kisan Agricultural Loan Waiver Scheme to waive off farmers’ debt up to Rs 2 lakh besides providing domestic gas cylinder at Rs 500 and making school education free in the state.

“Madhya Pradesh is the state of farmers. Congress government will buy paddy at Rs 2500 per quintal, we will buy wheat at Rs 2600 per quintal,” Kamal Nath said.

Under the Indira Grih Jyoti Yojana, 100 units of electricity will be provided free and subsequent 200 units of electricity will be provided at half rate, the party said. It promised to enact a ‘Right to Health’ law.

The manifesto said that the Old Pension Scheme will be started, five horsepower electricity will be provided free for irrigation, pending electricity arrears of farmers will be waived off and “false cases” related to farmers’ movement and those pertaining to electricity will be withdrawn.

The party promised 27 per cent reservation to OBCs (Other Backward Classes) in government services and schemes and setting up a skill upgradation university in the name of Saint Shiromani Ravidas in Sagar.

Under the ‘Padho Padhao’ scheme, an aid of Rs 500 will be given to the children of government schools from classes 1 to 8, Rs 1000 to students of classes 9 and 10 and Rs 1500 per month to the students of classes 11 and 12.

The party promised implementation of the PESA Act in tribal areas apart from promising some other measures for the tribal population in the state.

Congress promised to start Nandini Godhan Yojana under which cow dung will be bought at the rate of Rs 2 a kg. The party said it will restart the plan to construct 1000 gaushalas (cowsheds) and give a bonus on the purchase of milk through the cooperative sector.

Major promises for the youth include a law for government recruitment and filling two lakh government posts.

Two to four new posts will be created and filled in every Gram Panchayat in the state. The Congress party will move forward to ensure that the youth of the state get priority in government jobs. There will be a 100 per cent exemption in competitive exam fees, the party said.

The party said it will fill vacancies pending for the past 18 years including of teachers, patwaris, forest guards, nurses and also in the police.

Under the Yuva Swabhiman Scheme, financial assistance ranging from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 a month will be provided to needy educated unemployed youth for two years.

For women, the party said it would start a new scheme for the marriage of girls and will provide assistance of Rs 1.01 lakh.

Loans up to Rs 25 lakh will be provided to women for start-ups at 3 per cent interest rate. A 5000 square feet plot will be given to houseless rural women, free passes will be provided for transportation in metropolitan bus service and rules will be made to regularise Anganwadi assistants and workers.

A new cadre of field health workers will be created for Asha and Usha workers. The manifesto said a Congress government will start ‘Meri Bitiya Rani’ scheme for girls under which they will be given an amount of Rs 2.51 lakh from their birth till their marriage.

The party said it will start Vardaan Health Insurance Scheme for residents of the state under which health insurance of Rs 25 lakh and accident insurance of Rs 10 lakh will be provided to a family.

The Congress is seeking to oust the BJP from power in Madhya Pradesh. The state will go for assembly polls on November 17 for 230 assembly seats and counting will take place on December 3.